HKSM
Networking
Creating and nurturing professional relationships with people within your own organization and in other organizations.
Key Points
- Enables access to information, expertise, and support across teams and companies.
- Happens in formal and informal settings: meetings, events, communities of practice, and online groups.
- Helps identify stakeholders, uncover risks and opportunities, and find resources or vendors.
- Works best when ethical, reciprocal, and followed up with clear actions and documented contacts.
Example
A project manager attends a cross-department forum and connects with a cybersecurity specialist from another division. Through this relationship, the PM gains early input on security requirements and secures part-time support for upcoming design reviews, reducing rework later.
PMP Example Question
During initiation, a PM joins an internal community of practice and reaches out to peers in other departments to identify potential stakeholders and subject matter experts. What technique is the PM using?
- Networking
- Stakeholder analysis
- Procurement negotiation
- Communication escalation
Correct Answer: A — Networking
Explanation: The PM is building professional relationships to gain information and support across organizational boundaries, which is networking.
